Seasons Greetings

The ACT Veterans Cycling Club President, Secretary and Committee sends all members and their families the best wishes of the season. We look forward to a relaxing break with a return, in 2015, to more exciting and safe criterium, road and track racing. We also look forward to you, our members, volunteering to marshal and assist at our 2015 events.

2015 Calendar

The first Crit Race of 2015 will be 6th January, the first Track Race 7th January and the Road Racing Season will resume on the 15th February.

The penultimate draft of the 2015 road and criterium race calendar can be found at DOWNLOAD HERE and will be posted on the website shortly. Those weekends where no races have been scheduled coincide with long weekends, holidays and clashes with major regional cycling events. If we have missed any clashes, please get in touch with race.committee@actvets.cc to let us know, otherwise we will look to 'lock this in' for 2015.

Change to Constitution

We, like many clubs in the ACT, need to bring our club constitution kicking and screaming into the 21st century, such as, for example: the ability to notify of the AGM by e-mail rather than by stamped envelopes. Another need is to remove the limit of one committee position per committee member and to add a new committee position of 'Membership Secretary'. 2015 financial members will soon receive a stamped envelope communication asking them to, ironically, approve such minor changes by return post so that we can get on with being able to run things more smoothly. These simple changes are designed to reflect the current version of the ACT government’s model rules, which are at http://ors.act.gov.au/publication/view/1292/title/model-rules. Our current constitution is on the website under “Member Files”.

Thanks

Together with Club Secretary Phill Coulton, I would personally like to thank the hard working Vets Club committee members and all our volunteer marshals, in particular our cohort of trained traffic controllers for their fantastic service to the club in 2014. A special thanks also goes to Graham Hendrie and Henry Beaverstock as well as James Meredith and Barb Bayliss who seem to be 'fixtures' at each and every event we run. Thanks also to the behind-the- scenes members like Ian Morton for putting out the Bleat every week, our handicapper Robert Langridge for his close attention to this important and not always popular function as well as all other committee members for their help and wise counsel during 2014.

Safe Riding!
Alex O'Shea
Club President

Christmas Wheel Race – 16th December

On a sunny but somewhat windy afternoon the crit got started. Due to the low number in G and F grade, all managed to be qualified for the wheel race handicap.

E grade was more representative with ten riders, Phil Anderson won a hard contested sprint followed by Baden White, Ian Morton, an “In form” Don Desmet, and Frank O’Sullivan

C with six riders were started with D grade (19 riders) the largest number of competitor, a hard fought race saw Wayne Shippley in C and Warwick Wilson in D taking the win in their grades.

A and B were well represented. In A grade Mark Harris was determined to inflict pain on his competitors and tried many time an “echapee” to no avail as every time the gap was closed, the final sprint fearlessly fought and won by Marc Vroomans followed closely by Ed Pellegrino and Paul Scherl.

B grade saw a fast race with few surges quickly closed by the bunch , with few laps to go Andrew Chamberlain , Marcus O’Toole and Paul Ledbrook went away and stayed there to the finish, the final sprint was a bit messy as some A grader were in the mix.

Having the lucky five riders from each grade the Handicap got organized and under way quickly thanks to Henry and Graham

G and F got started together as G has three riders in F grade only Sue Frost was at the line . Followed by E to the A grader.

All the bunches got well organized, A caught B after two laps, C was doing their best to close on D, D was chasing hard E grade and of course E grade who were working well together , were chasing G/F.

In the last lap Pauline Thorn and Sue Frost having lost their two team mate, were still well ahead and did appear to have the win in the “bag” but the strong wind must have taken its toll .The result was determined in the last 100metre E grade having closed on G/F and D was closing very fast on them, this is from where is the winner, Warwick Wilson who did a dash to the line to beat Phil Anderson (with some not fast enough new wheels?), then Ian Morton, Sue frost and Don Desmet.

1st Warwick Wilson

2nd Phil Anderson

3rd Ian Morton

4th Sue Frost

5th Don de Smet

Well done to every one there. Special mention to the handicapper who got it pretty right as there is only 14 seconds between the winner and the first A grade rider to the line.

Thanks to the guys from Onya Bike for the prizes of tyres and chain lube to the top 5 winners.

Many thanks to Michael McGurgan, Robert Langridge and Alex O’shea to have volunteer on the day and of course to Henry Beaverstock.

Great Christmas to every one

Cheers Alain Arbaut

Christmas Track Race – 17th December

After the preceding two track sessions were washed out, it was a relief to have warm sunny weather for the Wednesday 17 December track session. The roll up was 18 riders, attracted by the Christmas Wheel Race and the following drinks and snacks.

The A and B Grade scratch races were each eight laps. The A Grade began at a fast pace with an initial three man break that expanded to five as Steve Jones and Jim Davey hauled it in. The final sprint was keenly contested and the surprise was to see Aaron Sedgmen hold off Steve Jones by a quarter of a wheel. Michael Langdon brought up third. The B Grade scratch held an even pace until one and a half laps from the finish when the hammer dropped along with a struggling Graeme O’Neill. The remaining riders contested a bunch sprint from which Phil Anderson emerged the victor in a close battle with Steve Hirsler and Bruce Griffin.

The Christmas Wheel Race was an all in affair with 17 riders from A and B Grade starting at their various handicaps. It was a little difficult to keep track of developments in this race. Front markers were past their first lap before the back markers took off. The lap-board could not give everyone a clear indication of their lap position. However, the race proceeded in a good spirit. Back marker Steve Jones found his handicap insurmountable. However, a back group with Michael Langdon, Aaron Sedgmen and Ben Robey initially looked a good prospect to catch the front runners. However, they slightly misjudged the required pace and dropped out of contention as the race progressed. Ben Davis realised that he was a good prospect and made a courageous break, with three laps to go. However, Andrew Peel closed to within 10 metres of Ben and eventually chased him down and overtook him for a fine win. Cameron Ermet and John Barlow in the tandem just kept hammering for the whole race and took a well deserved third place.

The track session concluded with A and B Grade Team Pursuits. Good strategy is essential for these races with best results produced by protecting the weaker team riders. In A Grade, Steve Jones marshalled his team well and Team 1 took a good win. Team 2 made a tactical error by allowing Glen Heward to take a turn of pace. This tired Glen just sufficiently to compromise the team effort, despite his huge effort to hang on as the pace quickened.

Boxing Day Recovery Ride – 26th December

The Boxing Day Recovery Ride starts at 8.00 am sharp outside the Jolimont Centre on Northbourne Av. This year's ride will follow the successful format of last year: two nominated sensible riders will lead ride along Federal and Old Federal highways with slower riders positioned immediately behind the leaders (so they don't get dropped if the bunch is broken up by traffic light changes) and faster riders go to the back.

We all stay together until the top of Washingmachine Hill. There, riders have a choice of going on to Lake George, the gravel pit or where ever. Those who've had too much Christmas cheer can wait in the shade a the top of the hill. Those resting can join one of the bunches on the return leg. All gather at Dobinson's or nominated coffee shop at end of ride.

Please use Google Groups (under Communication & Discussion in the 'About Us' tab) to post details of other rides during January and beyond.

Registration due by the end of the month

And a final reminder that your 2014 Registration will expire at the end of this month and you will not be able to race next year until you have registered for the 2015 season.

Simply go to the IMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.

If you have forgotten your password, go to top right hand corner and click on username and password. That will enable IMG to send you another password to your email address. To ensure you transfer the numbers and letters correctly it is advised to cut and paste.

Any queries please direct them to membership@actvets.cc and not the contact on the password retrieval page.

Archived copies of the Bleat

A reminder that your 2014 Registration will expire at the end of this month and you will not be able to race next year until you have registered for the 2015 season.

Simply go to theIMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.

If you have forgotten your password, go to top right hand corner and click on username and password. That will enable IMG to send you another password to your email address. To ensure you transfer the numbers and letters correctly it is advised to cut and paste.

Any queries please direct them tomembership@actvets.ccand not the contact on the password retrieval page.

End of Year BBQ and Presentation

Firstly, we had pleasure in presenting an award to the Club Member of the year, an annual award to recognise a major contribution to the ACT Vets Cycling Club. This year's award was presented to our club Secretary, Phill Coulton, in recognition of the magnificent work he has done with the ACT Government, the AFP and NSW Shires and NSW Police in securing our continued ability to race on roads in these jurisdictions particularly when their requirements have changed enormously over the year.

Secondly, we made a presentation to Henry Beaverstock, one of the club stalwarts for his contribution as club timekeeper. Henry has barely missed an event, whether a road race or a criterium and has given great guidance to countless race directors in the finer points of running a race.

For the 2013-14 summer season points champions, a competition which aggregates points gained in races, marshalling and race directing, our points champions are:

Women:
1st. Barbara Bayliss
2nd. Linda Stals
3rd. Liz Lowe

Men:
1st. James Meredith
2nd. Tom Hartley
3rd. Bruce Jones

Points champions for the 2014 winter season are:

Women:
1st. Mary Lovett
2nd. Linda Stals
3rd. Rosemary Robinson

Men:
1st. Robert Langridge
2nd. James Meredith
3rd. Terry Merrigan

Congratulations to our Points Champions, a competition which recognises race participation as well as race prowess, topped up with service to the club with points gained from race directing and marshalling.

Many thanks to the Hartley Volunteers who ran the BBQ for us on Tuesday. The Club appreciates your efforts in support of people in the ACT region with disabilities.

Tour of Bright result

Guys,

I along with a large number of other Canberra Cyclist, from Vets, Vikings and CCC, went down and raced Tour of Bright over the weekend just gone. It involved much tough racing against some of the best amateur cyclists from NSW, ACT and Vic. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that Vets' very own Steve Crispin, in the form of his life, won the Elite B grade race. Not Masters grade, but open B!

I suspect I was the oldest in the grade, with Steve only a few years younger, and the other 75 competitors in the prime of their riding lives.

Without a TT bike, Steve was 31st after the stage 1 time trial, but then stamped his name to come 1st and then 2nd in the next 2 mountain stages, to win the KOM jersey and the General Classification, by just 5 seconds.

This achievement may be worth mentioning in the next bleat, so that others, like me, don't continue to feel inadequate every time we get thumped in local races by Steve. I now feel that we are in good company.

The only unanswered challenge for Steve, that I can see, is a showdown between him and Ian Downing, who unfortunately have not raced in recent times. That would be a contest best enjoyed from the sidelines I'd suggest.

Charlie Nicoll

Interstate Events

• Classic Adelaide Masters Cycling Seriesduring the Tour Down Under week 17-25th Jan 2015.
Registrations are now open athttp://www.samc.org.au/

Note that the night’s events include a major trophy race.As many trackies as possible should attend. Come as spectators if you do not intend riding.

Please stay awhile after the racing as drinks and nibbles will be provided to celebrate our first Bundadome track season and the upcoming Christmas season.

Sunday, 21th December – No Race

Road Racing has concluded for the year.

RACE REPORTS:

Stromlo Crierium – 9th December

A cool afternoon, with cloudy skies and a stiff Easterly cross wind. For those wondering how much of a step it is to go up a grade, or what times do you need to ride to be competitive in X Grade, I present some original research here. This might also be of some use to those planning the handicaps for the Christmas Wheel Race.

The following are the average and fastest lap times in each grade from last Tuesday evening. I did not time the last two laps, so these are typical lap times, not the final sprint laps. There was also a strong cross wind that will have slowed riders especially in the smaller fields. The wind was 39kph from the East when A/B Grade started at 6PM and still 32kph from the East when E/F Grade finished at 8PM.

A Grade split into many groups very early on and the lap times shown here were recorded by a bunch of 5 break-away riders making the times they recorded very impressive. Under still conditions times would be faster. The times here indicate that it’s a big step from B Grade to A Grade. They also indicate a big step from F to E but this is probably because there were only 3 riders in F.

There was some confusion when I decided to give A Grade 3 laps and B Grade 2 laps to go. The reason was that A was right on the back of B at the time. However, I make no apology for decisions designed to ensure a safe race. Because A was exploded all over the track, with the leader right behind B it was difficult to communicate to all riders clearly. My apologies to anyone adversely affected. A Grade winner Stephen Isbel though he had finished but was informed he had another lap to go; fortunately his break was big enough for him to hold on.

Thanks to Marshalls Lynne Prentice, Jan Koehler, Ben Davis, Henry Beaverstock, Alex O’Shea and special thanks to Phill Coulton who stood in as First Aid as Stu was not available.

Steve Schwenke

Uriarra Homestead – 14th December

Was it really a "Goldilocks day" at the race on Sunday the 14th? It was not too hot, not too cold, the course was not too hilly, not too flat and the wind was not too strong or not there at all ...

So 56 fronted the start line for an abbreviated course [please see below for some comments ...] of 3 laps of the homestead to the short term, down to the top of the crossing and back to the homestead for A to D grade, while the other grades did 2 laps.. As expected there were a number of bunch sprint finishes as the "non climber brigade" fancied their chances.

The only grade without a bunch sprint finish was G grade, where Tony Sheehan (surely F grade for the next race) rode the field of his wheel pretty early and soloed to a comfortable victory over Angelika Maulch and Bernie Crowe. Bad luck to Bruce Jones who had a wheel lock on the final turn while sitting comfortably in 2nd place and so had the dreaded DNF recorded against his name (and presumably a repair bill of some sort). F grade had the almost obligatory sprint finish with Ian Morton edging out Brahm Hart and Luke McGowan. While in E grade, despite Mike Hayes insisting on the start line that he was going to set a steady pace on the front until the finish, James Curran and John Barnes rolled Mike on the line in a sprint finish.

D grade had a very tight finish with Warwick Wilson just edging out Terry Merrigan for 3rd with Ian Shaw chasing down the winner in Craig Kentwell.

A very pleased Dale Kleeman was the winner in C grade, commenting after the event that "... I don't win many ..." - so apparently Christmas did come early this year. Alain Arbaut swapped RD duties so he could finish 2nd ahead of Ian McVay who rounded out the podium.

B grade was won by a fast finishing Chris Short - who on the final run past the start finish line on the way back to the final turn attacked off the front. Not sure if he was away for the whole last part of the race but he was a worthy winner for at least attempting to get away on a day when the chances of a break succeeding was minimal. Mark Langman held off Reinhard Maulch for 2nd place.

Of course A grade had a final sprint as the chances of anyone soloing away on a course like this one was remote. In a very tight finish Paul Scherl just got the better of Steve Crispin and Mark Vroomens.

Many thanks to the helpers on the day, Alex Sommerava, Alex O'Shea, Clinton Porteous, Owain Tilley, Rob Langridge (who decided that he would be of more use standing on a corner than battling illness on the road) and Henry Beaverstock for the results and entries.

However, there are a couple of things club riders should be aware of ...

1. the demands on the club caused by the traffic control arrangements are imposing a huge load on a number of key club members. On arriving at 7:30 club stalwarts Henry, Ian and Graham were already there starting the set up. Each turn point now requires about 9-10 signs to comply with TAMS' requirements. If you are down to marshal on an upcoming event please try and arrive nice and early to help these guys out by setting up your turn point.

2. if you are nominated to marshal please turn up - yes, somewhat obvious I know ... but it needs saying again. We had to take the Mt McDonald leg out of the race on Sunday as a number of marshals didn't turn up. This was particularly unfortunate as the turn had been set up in expectation of being used. It also compromised the event as the course was changed from the TAMS approved course - which was not too much of a problem at the homestead but could be more troublesome at other courses.

3. we had a number of riders not going through the chute after the finish - including some of the more "experienced" riders. The chute list is important for the results system, so please ensure your number is recorded as finishing and that you roll through the chute in finishing order.

Finally, as this is the last road race for the year on behalf of all club members I would like to extend a big thanks to the committee who keep the club racing throughout the year.

Archived copies of the Bleat

Registration for 2015 is now open

The Registration system on IMG is open for next year's subscriptions. Simply go to theIMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.

If you have forgotten your password, go to top right hand corner and click on username and password. That will enable IMG to send you another password to your email address. To ensure you transfer the numbers and letters correctly it is advised to cut and paste.

Any queries please direct them tomembership@actvets.ccand not the contact on the password retrieval page.

From the President - Where do your Race Fees go?

As members will know, we have raised the road race sign-on fee to $10 during the winter season - mainly due to steep additional costs in complying with new road race requirements, primarily in the ACT. The Club Committee has recently decided to maintain the fee at $10 but we are keeping it under review.

To give you an idea of how the fee is spent, let's look at the last four road races. We have had: 1. the Uriarria scratch race, 2. the handicap at Old Federal highway, 3. scratch race at Lookout Hill, and 4. the Mt McDonald TT. Competitor numbers and (revenue) were: zero ($0) for the first (it was a washout); 50 ($500) for the second, 25 ($250) for the third and same for the fourth. Total = $1,000.

For our variable costs, each race requires a First Aid person @ $33/ per hour - generally $100 per race. The NSW race requires us to do a letter box drop of local residents who have driveways along the course - $125 for this. We offer NSW race lead and trail car drivers about $25 each in petrol money (not all take it), then there are the petrol and running costs for the club van for each race and for one of these races, there were trophy costs. We also have to attribute our fixed costs such as the recent costs of the new Australian Standard compliant signage (some $6,000) as well as upkeep costs for the van, computer, printer, comms. equipment, the defibrillator, etc, etc.

Our treasurer tells me that over the last four races we managed to make a slight surplus on our variable costs, over revenue, but taking into account fixed costs, we are would have only broken even . . . perhaps.

A sustained increase in race participants would see us in a better position, but for the moment, leaving the road race fee at $10 seems prudent.

For the money, you are getting a well controlled race which meets ACT and NSW police requirements, and in compliance with rigorous risk management principles; for example meeting Australian Standards signage and use of accredited traffic controllers at turn points, submitting race plans for approval. You are also under the 'care' of a sports trainer qualified in first aid (I can personally vouch for the value of this) and lots more.

We are in a better position with the criterium races at SFP. If we have 100 riders, our revenue is $500. The rent for SFP and the cost of first aid/trainer attending is in the vicinity of $330 for the night. Not a windfall, as you can see, but we are pretty safe in leaving the criterium fee at $5. If we have very low numbers due to inclement weather, the club still has to pay the usual charge for the first aid/trainer.

For our track cycling, the cost of the velodrome is $75 per night. If 20 members attend track at $5 per member then the club is ahead. As the hire fee is paid in advance, the club has yet to negotiate any refunds due to inclement weather.

Hope this enlightens members somewhat. Our club is still in a very good financial position and will remain so. We are very grateful to our members who volunteered to undergo the Accredited Traffic Controller course (we now have 25 ATCs) and give their services for free when we run ACT events. His saves us up to $1,300 per race - and means the difference between being able to run races or not. We are also grateful for our volunteer marshals - again we would have to severely cut back our race program or go broke without this help. Long may it continue!

Regards
Alex O'Shea
President

From the Handicapper's desk

One recommendation from the handicapper's desk in Krabi, Thailand;

• Michael Golding E -> D

Robert Langridge

Interstate Events

• Classic Adelaide Masters Cycling Seriesduring the Tour Down Under week 17-25th Jan 2015.
Registrations are now open athttp://www.samc.org.au/

Please confirm with the Race Director that you are available. If you unable to make the date that you have been rostered please find a replacement.

Please Note: In order to comply with the signage requirements we have to setup45 SIGNS!!!around the Uriarra Course. Anyone who could turn up early to help out (particular anyone with a ute or van to carry the 1.2 meter signs) would be appreciated.

RACE REPORTS:

Lookout Hill Graded Scratch – 30th November

The weather on Sunday proved that Mother Nature has a sense of humour. She started the morning with a nice down pour deterring all but the bravest (foolhardy). Between Hartley and the threat of rain a small but dedicated group of riders stood at the start line. There were 26 riders in total with no A grade riders. The sun shined down on all those waiting for the race to start, revealing lovely blue Canberra skies. The pace was set early with many of the grades breaking up before the first lap had been completed. The only exception was D grade, which is not surprising as they were accompanied by a one man entertainment show. Then at about three quarters of the way into the race, the point where you have done so much that you really do not want to pull out, the heavens opened and the water came pouring down. There were no announcements made at the end of the race as most riders quickly left in the search for warm and dry cloths. The clear winner was Marc Vroomans who crossed the line a good thirty seconds ahead of Michael McGurgan. C grade was lead by Ian McVay followed by Dale Kleeman. Despite his repeated attempts at entertainment out on the course Terry Merrigan still had enough energy left to win D grade closely followed by Cameron Ermert. The three hearty soles left in E grade were lead across the line by David Gunther and then Ross Robinson.

Ian Morton managed to push up Lookout Hill to beat Barbara Bayliss. And despite some confusion over the number of laps, Bruce Jones was able to catch up to and overtake Angelika Mauch to finish first in G grade.

I would like to thank all of the marshals who ensured that the race ran smoothly without any major incidents. They are John De Sousa, Dale Teddy, Graham Hendrie, Brad White and Denis Jessop.

Special thanks go to Graham Hendrie and Dale Teddy who put out and collected those monstrous signs required by the new approval process.

There were 33 in total. That meant that not only did they have to put in a concerted effort to get the signs out before the race, they had to stay back after the race to get them all back in again. That is, while many of us were back home having changed into dry cloths, Graham and Dale were still in the rain dealing with the signs. Also note that as everything had been put into the van wet, Graham then had to unpack the van at home to give the equipment a chance to dry before being put back again. None of this is not a trivial effort and is invaluable support for the running of our races.

Thanks to Race Director Linda Stals

Stromlo Crierium – 2nd December

A pleasant if a little warm start to our evenings racing. Thanks to the additional marshals who volunteered and helped guide the runners through the crit track with seemless effect.

G grade was away first and the bunch of 5 stayed together until the final 3 laps when one of the riders was dropped, the others, continued through to the end with riders sprinting to the finish Bruce Jones was too strong for the others with Graham Lindsay outlasting Tony Sheehan.

F grade had low numbers with pack of 3 sticking together throughout until the final sprint when Pat Rooke over powered James Meredith and Barbara Bayliss.

E grade started with 13 and was largely a steady race throughout with a couple of different attacks which were short lived. The final sprint resulted in Michael Golding outlasting Alex Sommariva and further back to Ian Morton.

D grade had 21 starters with 4 DNFs by the end largely caused by a strong pace throughout and the occasional surge. Peter Harding proved too strong in the sprint followed by Sean Flemming and then James Curran.

C grade started with 12 of which only the 1 was a DNF during the race. A tight finish at the end resulted in Jeff Gough finishing ahead of Wayne Shippley and Tim Mincham.

A & B grade had the best of the weather conditions with light winds and temperature below 30 and the runners having finished by this stage. However, the Kangaroos came to graze and thanks to Jason who managed to encourage them to find better grazing elsewhere. Tempers frayed towards the end of the race when trying to separate the grades for the final sprint laps. We will look into this for future races and ensuring communications by passing group and others is early and clear. The riders being passed must keep left. No sudden changes in direction will be tolerated in order to make it safe for all. Behaviour and language need to improve no matter what the circumstances.

B grade had 27 starters and the largest field for the night. There were some initial surges by various riders until the pack settled into a fast paced race. Various individuals took solo leads but were reeled back by the pack. The final sprint proved a close affair with Craig Apponeal finishing ahead of Chris Wilson and Michael McGurgan.

A grade started with 20 riders and the continual surges took its toll on a couple of riders. With about 20 minutes to go Stephen Isbel took a chance and managed to build up a half a lap lead and maintained this for a few laps until the pack fought back. This was again a tight sprint for the line with Mark Harris winning from Stephen Isbel and Tom Hartley.

I have a pair of sunglasses, a pump and a tube left behind at the crit, please contact me if they are yours.

Thanks to all the marshalls Henry, Tom and Jason with assistance from others with runners James, Phill, Paul and others whose names I failed to get. All helped for safer racing conditions. Thanks also to James Jordan and Tom for being our first-aiders on the night.

Mt McDonald Time Trial – 7th December

In contrast to previous weeks, the weather conditions were almost perfect for Sunday's Annual Mt McDonald Time Trial up Brindabella Rd.

Again, the team is still getting used to the placement of our new signage around the course so thanks to Graham Hendrie for turning up early to get the signs in place. Just as well we had the practice for next week's race at Uriarra Course.

The 28 riders all got away safely on time. Cameron Ermert and John Barlow did complete the course despite grinding their gears all the way the first part of the course.

For the officials back at the start point, the most exciting event was watching a couple of Willy Wagtails chasing a Crow who was intruding on their territory.

Tom Hartley and Paul Scherl were back at the start in fairly short order with the rest of the field making their way back. Congratulations to the winners in each grade.

Thanks to the Marshals who turned up to assist, Brad Sellwood, Toby Driscoll, Doug Widdup, Russel Reid and Rusty. Thanks to James on the signon desk, Henry for timing and again to Graham for the sign setup.

Archived copies of the Bleat

The Registration system on IMG is open for next year's subscriptions. Simply go to the IMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.

Note that if you are not currently a member, you can register now and get the remainder of this year and all of 2015 for the one fee.

From the Handicapper's desk in Phnom Penh

The tyranny of distance has not stopped the Handicapper from his duty, so from across the oceans, following are this week's gradings;

Prior to the next handicap, riders are encouraged to check their sub-grade in case the grades are split on the day. If you think your sub-grade needs adjusting, please consult with thehandicapper@actvets.ccand therace.committee@actvets.cc. The point of handicaps is for the groups to be similar enough in ability for the everyone in the group to contribute to maintaining their maximum possible speed. Attacking the first hill is not a way to win a handicap, and certainly won't result in a higher average speed.

Robert Langridge

Interstate Events

• Classic Adelaide Masters Cycling Series during the Tour Down Under week 17-25th Jan 2015.
Registrations are now open at http://www.samc.org.au/

Please confirm with the Race Director that you are available. If you unable to make the date that you have been rostered please find a replacement.

End of Year Events

This year, the End of Year presentation BBQ will be held on Tuesday 9th December and the traditional Christmas Wheel Race will be the 16th December.

RACE REPORTS:

STROMLO CRITERIUM – 25th November

Fine weather again drew big fields for Tuesday’s criterium races with more than 100 riders saddling-up. A grade featured several breakaways, with Stephen Blackburn and Mark Harris making theirs stick to take the top honours, with Sean Iffland filling out the podium.

Brendan Savage rode strongly to win B grade from Damien Obst and Travis Hicks. C grade was won by Craig Kentwell with Brad Sellwood and Tim Minehan taking out the minor placings. The D grade field split neatly into two bunches early on, with a couple of riders caught in no-man’s land. The pace was on with four DNFs. Conin Kelly took out the win in his first race with the vets, followed by John Stokman and Sean Fleming. A couple of attacks were hauled back by the big E grade bunch, with another newcomer Paul Jeffrey first to greet the judges. Alex Sommariva and Ian Shaw rode well for the placings. F grade was won by Mike Hogan with Andrew Balzanelli second and Sue Frost a well deserved third. Natalie Attenborough rode a strong race for victory in G grade followed in by Pauline Thorn and Tony Sheehan.

Once again thanks to Henry Beaverstock who makes these events run like a well-oiled machine, and many thanks to marshalls Mary Lovett and Alex O’Shea.

Thanks to Race Director Mick Donaldson.

Narrabundah Track Racing – 26th November

The track session on Wednesday 26 November brought warm sunny weather with a gusty breeze that impacted on the time trial event. The roll up was 19 riders, split almost evenly between A and B Grades.

A and B Grade scratch races were each eight laps. The A Grade race started at a moderate pace and the bunch held together until Steve Jones attacked at 1.5 laps from the finish. Steve took the win with Jim Davis and Eddie O’Farrell hot on his heals. The B Grade scratch held a good pace with four riders dropped by lap six. Sally Thomsom took the win on her first track outing with the club.

The 2-Lap time trial produced times that were marginally slower that the last similar event on 15-October. The gusty weather probably played a part in this. Steve Jones and Jim Davey still managed to get around the course in less than 50 seconds, with Steve recording a best time of 49.12 seconds. In B Grade, Steve Hirstler managed a creditable best time of 57.16 to take a win from Bruce Griffin on 59.14. Alley Roach had a good night generally and her time of 54.87 showed that she is a solid A Grade competitor.

The next track event was the unique Snowball where each lap has a winner given escalating points as the race progresses. This race has some unique tactical attributes as riders can snaffle a place by garnering early points. In A Grade, Steve Jones dominated. However, Jim Davey, Cameron Ermet and John Barlow were tied for second points and Ben Robey took third all using early enterprise. B Grade was quite competitive. Sally Thomson took the final two laps for a win from Steve Hirsler who took laps three and four.

The track session concluded with an all in scratch race of six laps. B Grade were given a three-quarters lap start. The A Grade bunch initially took off in solid pursuit. However, by lap four, it was clear that the pace needed to be accelerated to catch B Grade. Steve Jones and Jim Davey had enough left for this challenge and worked well to close down B Grade and take first and second respectively. The next four finishers were B Grade with Phil Anderson doing a great job to take third.

Archived copies of the Bleat

Fund Raising BBQ at the Crits

Thanks from Angie and Liz and the Hartley Team to everyone who supported the fund raising over the last 4 weeks.

Registration for 2015 is now open

The Registration system on IMG is open for next year's subscriptions. Simply go to theIMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.

Note that if you are not currently a member, you can register now and get the remainder of this year and all of 2015 for the one fee.

Handicapping

The Handicapper will be away for a while but as a parting gift to a lucky few, he has bestowed the following regradings;

Please confirm with the Race Director that you are available. If you unable to make the date that you have been rostered please find a replacement.

End of Year Events

This year, the End of Year presentation BBQ will be held on Tuesday 9th December and the traditional Christmas Wheel Race will be the 16th December.

RACE REPORTS:

STROMLO CRITERIUM – 11th November (missed from last week's Bleat)

121 riders turned out to race on Tuesday with the ‘sea breeze’ blowing heartily and keeping the temperature comfortable. B grade had the biggest field with 28 riders while D grade had 26 riders. Only F and G grades fielded less than 10 competitors.

As usual G grade kicked off the evening and in the early laps they rode as a bunch with Bruce Jones, Tony Sheehan and then Paul Robey doing the work out front. Then 2 riders were dropped leaving Bruce, Paul, Tony and Felicity Toohey to fight it out. They rode together until the bell lap when Bruce and Tony sprinted away. Tony Sheehan powered to the finish ahead of a fast finishing Felicity Toohey with Bruce Jones taking third. C and D grades were next to race. In C grade there was an early break by Tom Tokich and Kevin Wells. After 10 minutes of racing they were joined by 2 other riders and by another 4 minutes there were 5 riders in the breakaway with Dale Teddy trying valiantly to join them. Dale found the going too difficult and at the finish Tom Tokich took the honours with David Rowe and Duane Toohey finishing second and third respectively.

D grade rode as a bunch for the first 9 minutes of the race before 4 riders decided to make a break. After another 2 laps only John Stokman and Warwick Wilson remained in the break but with 10 minutes of regular time remaining D grade were riding as a bunch again. In the sprint to the line Gary Waldron crossed first, followed by Peter Harding and Sean Fleming.

E and F grades got away next with F grade riding in a bunch with James Meredith and Mike Hogan doing the early work at the front. With 15 minutes of regular riding left 2 of the original 7 riders were dropped with James, Mike, Kim Malcolm, Sue Frost and Barbara Bayliss left to fight out the finish. In the sprint to finish Kim Malcolm outlasted Mike Hogan and Sue Frost.

E Grade rode as a bunch for nearly the whole race with only Ian Morton and then Liz Lowe and Michael Golding trying to break from the bunch. Each time however, the break was closed very quickly by the other riders. Liz Lowe sprinted strongly to cross the line first ahead of Ian Morton in second and Wayne Kenner in third.

Next up were A and B grades who had to ride for 31 minutes before the business end of the race. In A grade Paul Scherl and Nathan Spillane made a break at the 6 minute mark and a minute later were joined by Brendan Byatt. With 20 minutes to go they were joined in what was by now a significant break, by Ed Pelligrino, Stephen Blackburn and Mark Harris. At the 6 minute mark Paul, Stephen, Ed and Mark were left to fight out the finish. In the sprint, Mark Harris proved too strong for Stephen Blackburn and Paul Scherl.

In B grade with a field of 28, there were 5 separate breakaways with James Jordan predominant early followed by David Dickson with 16 minutes to go, then Travis Hicks and James with 10 minutes left and finally Nick Boylan at the 5 minute mark. In each case the break was closed quickly by the bunch except for Nick Boylan who managed to extend his break to the length of the back straight. In the final lap however there was a bunch sprint from which Andrew Chamberlain was a clear winner from Timothy Palmer and John Thorn in third place.

STROMLO CRITERIUM – 18th November

Good conditions out at Stromlo for the regular Tuesday night bit windy but nothing compared to previous weeks, the G’s were the usual lead out event and complained that under a yellow flag, riding neutral @ 25 meant they had to speed up, ooops… mental note for future race directors, anyway good racing and for the most part a tight bunch had Sue Belton fight off Natalie Attenborough take the points and the honour of the only ladies on the podium in any grade all night with Tony Sheehan getting a solid 3rd.

With the A and B’s away @ 6:07, The A Train lined up, Messrs’ Scherl and Vroomans in the middle and that was as close as A grade got to them, by the time most had clipped in they were 200 off the pace and that was as it, with both Scherl and Vroomans taking turns up front and amazingly had enough for a sprint finish, Mark Harris, Ed Pellegrino and Stephen Isbel tried valiantly to close it out but had to settle for the minor points. The B’s suffered the same fate with Nick Boylan and Peter Prammer going hard and early with Mike McGurgan the best of the rest, with both groups smashed it was an interesting challenge trying to keep track of 53 riders in brown’s cows formation.

C’s and D’s next away and while the D’s kept track on breakaways, Tom Tokich was obviously late for an appointment and was last seen a mile in front of the C’s, Terri Moore tried valiantly to stay but was ultimately rolled up by the “C” bunch, who looked more intent in sucking a wheel, rather than chase down a break. Brad Sellwood finished a solid 2nd in a hot sprint from Ben Vagnarelli. Delta force in a tight sprint saw Sean Smith take the points from the perennial seagull Peter Harding and new vets rider Wayne Kenner. Also worth noting a solid performance from Dave Clarke returning after a significant spell due a back injury, welcome back Dave.

E’s and F Troop last away on the evening and running late as the Race Director couldn’t work out how to get 26 + 2 into a 24 minute timeslot without shortening either event, so throwing caution to the now abated wind, the last race ran to schedule with enough light to do so safely, E grade was led out by Michael Golding who got off the front a few times was rolled in a few times but enough left in the tank for a big finish, leading Baden White and Luke McGowan and the rest of E’s in close pursuit. F Troop suffered at the hands of Steve Hirsler who went early and put in and continued to work the corners hard and eventually won by a considerable gap, with James Mills and Mike Hogan getting the minor places.

Special Thanks to the Lovely Jan Koehler, Henry Beaverstock and Al Bontjer for their assistance in running the night and keeping track of everything that was going on.

Thanks to Race Director Steve Dean.

Narrabundah Track Racing – 19th November

The track session on Wednesday 19 November again brought perfect weather with just a slight breeze. The roll up was 16 riders, slightly below current expectations, possibly due to the ODI cricket at Manuka Oval.

A and B Grade scratch races were each twelve laps. The A Grade was pacey with three riders dropped in the initial laps. The final laps say a five-man break from which Steve Jones took the sprint. The B Grade scratch saw a bunch sprint with Glen Heward surprising everyone to take the win. As Glen only started racing at the start of this track season, this was a very creditable performance.

The 200 meter fly was a challenging event for all riders. It requires just the right line and technique as the margins are fractions of a second. Mark Harris put in the best time of 13 seconds flat. He just piped Michael Langdon by 36 hundredths of a second.

The four lap handicaps suggested that the handicapper is slowly improving. Mark Harris and Steve Jones took first and second in A Grade from scratch marks. Craig Kentwell dominated B Grade from the scratch mark.

The track session concluded with an all in scratch race of six laps. B Grade were given half a lap start. This race was great to watch. The A Grade bunch took off in a torrid pursuit that immediately spat several riders out the back. The B Grade bunch were caught in 4 laps, after which the race became more tactical. Steve Jones won a close sprint from Mark Harris and Andrew Peel.

Old Federal Highway F&A Tonelli Handicap – 23rd November

In stark contrast to last weekend we had an extremely warm start to the day with the temperature at 20 deg by 8 o’clock. There was a need to get the race underway on time to beat the impending 35+ temp advised by the weather gurus. Firstly thanks to the marshals for their support, for signing up by Thursday night and being on time Sunday morning as this made my job that much easier.

G Grade hit the road first with A grade some 35 minutes later. By the time G grade had returned from the Shingle Hill Way turn a lone rider from F grade was already in hot pursuit. D grade did manage to keep it all together for the first loop down to the lake end of Hadlow Drive, and they appeared to be the only grade to manage this.

At the turn on the start line our lone F grader had been identified as non-other than Stjepan Hisler (Stephen) who has been noticed performing well in the crits over recent weeks. The other grades had begun to make ground on the leaders at the turn however the temperature was rising and this may have begun to take a toll on our riders. This was somewhat evident with the 10 DNF’s at the turn. Another notable ride was by Sue Duckett who had her first ride with the vets at Tuesday’s crit, joined the club late in the week and then was in a close competition with Jing Huang at the turn.

As the time ticked down the team on the finish line began to wonder if the A grade hot shots could reel in the lower grades something they were not able to do in last year’s event.

Over the rise came the lead car followed by a lone rider dressed in black. Stephen (F grade) had held on to take a well-deserved win being nearly a minute in front of the next finisher Jing Huang (G grade) followed by our new member Sue Duckett (F grade). The A graders once again missed out on the medals in this event. Fastest rider on the day was Christophe Barbaret (A grade). First B grader was Ben McDuff, first C grader was Dale Kleeman, first D grader was Terry Merrigan and first E Grader was Don DeSmet.

Having problems with IMG

If you are having difficulties with the IMG registration, please follow the instructions on the IMG website and if that cannot solve your problem then contact the club atmembership@actvets.cc

Message from the President

After attempting to follow, from overseas and parts north, the very hectic goings on of our club during the last three months it has been good to get back home and see the fruits of lots of hard work coming together and our members enjoying some great racing, specifically:

The Crits

Racing at Stromlo Forest Park on Tuesday evening now seems like the summer race of choice for our members. We are seeing big fields, close and exciting racing across all grades, with a great atmosphere and rider camaraderie. The handicapper has been busy 'rewarding' consistent winners with upgrades, while also being also kind with the odd downgrade - to keep things fair. Make sure you don't miss the Christmas Wheel Race on 16 December, the last criterium race for 2014.

Road Racing

The winter road season finished with some difficulty owing to new traffic controller and road signage requirements being mandated in the ACT. We also had a run of poor weather. We thank our members for their patience and forbearance during this period. We are also grateful to our members who spent a day of their lives to become accredited traffic controllers (ATC) and their ongoing support in providing this important service instead of the prohibitively expensive alternative of contracting professional ATCs to do this. The club is also very grateful to both the Canberra Cycling and Vikings clubs for offering us their compliant signage while we have our own new signs produced.

After a sensible hiatus in October, the road racing season is back . . . or would have been had the weather been kinder this Sunday morning. We did have eight officials out at Uriaria, but with only five hardy riders registered at 8.45 am and the rain coming down hard we all called it a day. The message in this is:- if it's scheduled, it will go ahead, provided a 'quorum' of members turn up to race. The club will only cancel if conditions are so poor it would be dangerous to race (ie high winds, lightening and blinding rain) - so vote with your feet (or rather pedals) and get in some great road racing. All it needs is YOU! We would like to see more members challenging themselves and each other on our fantastic road courses in and around the ACT - have a look at this week's handicap at Old Federal Hwy, for instance.

Track Racing

The track season is successfully underway at the new and improved velodrome at Narrabundah following track practice sessions. Graeme O'Neill has the track program running like clock work with a warmup/induction session at 5.30pm Wednesdays followed by a mix of graded and handicap races with all abilities being catered for in a very friendly and supportive atmosphere. Its also great to see the different track machines going round ranging from vintage 'steelies' to carbon fibre wonders. Numbers are also building with each week as more and more members discover the joys of track racing on a proper velodrome. 'Do yourself a favour' and go out and have a look one Wednesday afternoon, but be warned - you could be hooked - I think I have been.

2015 Program

Our 2015 program is being finalised and will be out shortly. It looks like the ACT Vets will once again be offering club members Canberra's most complete and comprehensive bicycle racing program with up to three races each week (criterium, road and track) in the warmer months and a weekly (road, criterium or time trial) race in the winter months. The 2015 program will formalise this year's October road racing hiatus - to better get the Crit. and Track programs under way. We will also have a recess in January and better recognise and avoid clashing with other major cycling events such as the NRS, Tour de Femme, Fitzes etc - as we have done in recent years.

There will be some new courses and race formats, too and we will also look to have a criterium race each month during winter, whether at SFP or Dairy Flat - stay tuned.

Feedback

I welcome members support, feedback and suggestions - whether positive or negative. Simply drop me a line atpresident@actvets.ccand I will promise to get back to you.

I would personally like to give great feedback to our hard working committee and officials, particularly: our secretary Phil Coulton for his patient and persistent work in equipping us to meet the new ACT Government's requirements, effectively negotiating with and building goodwill with NSW shires and just quietly getting on with the job; to Rob Langridge and his race committee for doing the hard yards of planning and organising races, co-opting marshals and keeping things fair in the handicapping department; and to our very valuable officials like Barb Bayliss, Graham Hendrie, Ian Morton, without whose reliable service, week in and week out, the club would cease to function. Finally to our valuable members who have stepped up to marshal and help out at races - with the biggest contributor being club stalwart, Henry Beverstock. You are all what makes the ACT Vets Club the club it is. Long may it continue.

Regards

Alex O'Shea
President

Next Traffic Controller Course

As a result of the popular demand placed on the training so far, there will be one other training day scheduled forSaturday 22 November. This is an additional day supplied by Roads ACT. For ease of administration, Capital Cycling will take on the registration process for this training.

Please ensure that all details are completed. If the registrants are available to undertake the training on 22 November, please ensure that this date is nominated in the registration process. Could you also please contact Ben DavisBen.Davis@Teradata.comand let him know you have registered.

If you have any questions, please contact John Armstrong on 02 6248 7995.

Fund Raising BBQ at the Crits

Some club members will be riding the Hartley Lifecare Challenge from Canberra to Mt Kosciusko and back in late November.

For the next four weeks they will be running a BBQ at the crits to raise some much needed funds for this wonderful cause that helps people living with disability in our community.

So after you have done the hardwork in your race, we encourage you to stick around and buy something to eat and drink.

Registration for 2015 is now open

The Registration system on IMG is open for next year's subscriptions. Simply go to theIMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.

Note that if you are not currently a member, you can register now and get the remainder of this year and all of 2015 for the one fee.

Handicapping

Only one change this week;

• Liz Lowe E -> D

And a reminder that riders are not to downgrade themselves without approval from the Handicapper.

Phill will also need Lead and Trail car drivers. Please let Phill know if you assist.

Please confirm with the Race Director that you are available. If you unable to make the date that you have been rostered please find a replacement.

End of Year Events

This year, the End of Year presentation BBQ will be held on Tuesday 9th December and the traditional Christmas Wheel Race will be the 16th December.

RACE REPORT:

Narrabundah Track Racing – 5th November

The track session on Wednesday 12 November brought perfect weather and a good roll up of 24 riders. Club president Alex O’Shea dropped in for a look and expressed some interest in having a go at this exciting form of racing.

A and B grade scratch races were each ten laps. In both races there were finish sprints from the bunch. A grade was particularly close with Ben Davis emerging in the final metres to take a fine win. Brad Sellwood dominated the B Grade and won comfortably.

The four lap scratch races took a little organising logistically, but went well once underway. Not even the handicapper can predict the form in these races. The lotteries went to Gary Waldron in A grade and Craig Kentwell in B grade, both fine performances.

Win-and-Out races provided the next entertainment. Wins were taken by Michael Langdon in A grade and Brad Sellwood in B grade. A special mention should go to Cameron Ermet and John Barlow on a track tandem. They managed to gap the field for the third and fourth sprints. Their commendable initiative went unrewarded. They were chased down by a single rider in both sprints.

The track session concluded with an all in scratch race of six laps. Jim Davey had the endurance for this one and took a win from Chris Thompson.

Some of the five cyclists that were willing to ride had cycled out to the event and home again so it was with great reluctance that the race was cancelled. Thank to the marshals and traffic controllers (who outnumbered the cyclists). The people that we had recorded are Henry Beaverstock, Ben Robey, James Meredith, Andrew McKechnie, Simon Milnes and Graham Hendrie. There may have been a couple more volunteers so if I haven't noted your name please contact me to enable me to correct any omission. (paul.robey3@gmail.com) or 62913913.

Thanks also to the the Vikings Cycle Club and Jeremy Smith for the loan of 20+ road signs needed to meet the new traffic control requirements. The ACT VCC signs were still being made and therefore unavailable for the race on Sunday.

Paul Robey (Race Director)

From the Handicapper

After a dearth of rain and Sunday road races, we thought an event at Uriarra Homestead would be a simple task given that TAMS had approved the race and we had a set of signs thanks to the Vikings. (We had a contingency should the club's signs not be completed on time--and they weren't!) But this time it was the weather that spoilt things. By 8:30 a crowd of marshals and few riders were gathered by the van at the homestead. With the arrival of the true hard nuts by bike, Nick Boylan, Mark Taylor and James Jordan, the decision to race was made and I got back in the car for the traditional 'in-car' warm-up. This involves staying dry until the race starts and hoping the rain eases off after that. Instead, the heavens opened and by 8:50 the race was cancelled owing to poor visibility. The hard nuts couldn't get any wetter so they shunned lifts and pedalled back up Canberra. Frustratingly, by the time I was driving past Casuarina Sands the rain was easing, and conditions would have been conducive to racing. There's an Old Fed handicap on next Sunday, surely this will won't be washed out. Thanks to Paul Robey and the faithful marshals who came irrespective of the weather.

Having problems with IMG

If you are having difficulties with the IMG registration, please follow the instructions on the IMG website and if that cannot solve your problem then contact the club at membership@actvets.cc

Lee Hopson races in Style

This October I raced in the first Australian Brompton Championships on a Crit course at Sydney’s Olympic Park. The 30 minute Crit was run by Lidcombe Auburn Cycling Club. This was the first Australian Championships but National Championships are also run in places like Austria, Chile, France, Italy, Japan, Taiwan and the USA.

If you’re not familiar with Bromptons they are a strange looking small-wheeled design that can be quickly folded and either transported on trains and buses or carried up flights of stairs to flats or offices. Built in London they are now the UK’s most prolific bicycle manufacturers with some 35,000 units made each year.

The race is slightly different from other Criteriums as the rules are that participants must ride a Brompton bicycle, must wear a collared shirt, a tie and a jacket. No visible Lycra garments and an approved helmet. The race start is a ‘Le Mans’ style with racers running to their folded bikes, and unfolding them before getting onto the Crit circuit. Paul Craft was the race commentator and as there were other cycling events happening on the same day there was a rather large crowd to cheer everyone on.

Its hot racing in a tie and a blazer and once the race had started, I found out much to my amazement that I was racing against Steve Hodge who was some where in the bunch.

The first male and female racers win return air fairs to the UK to participate in the World Championships as well as the honor of out folding and out pacing everyone else in the field. There are prizes for the best dressed and also for the fastest folders.

It’s on again next year and with the sales of Bromptons going up and several Canberra bike dealers selling them, the race will only get bigger.

Cheers Lee Hopson

Race Fees for Summer Season

The race fees for the summer season have been set as follows;

• Road races - $10

• Criterium - $5

• Track - $5*

*Note: The Track Hire is a fixed fee for the evening so as long as the number of track riders remains at current levels, the $5 fee is sustainable. If the number of participants declines, then the fee may need to be reviewed.

Next Traffic Controller Course

As a result of the popular demand placed on the training so far, there will be one other training day scheduled for Saturday 22 November. This is an additional day supplied by Roads ACT. For ease of administration, Capital Cycling will take on the registration process for this training.

Please ensure that all details are completed. If the registrants are available to undertake the training on 22 November, please ensure that this date is nominated in the registration process. Could you also please contact Ben Davis Ben.Davis@Teradata.com and let him know you have registered.

If you have any questions, please contact John Armstrong on 02 6248 7995.

Fund Raising BBQ at the Crits

Some club members will be riding the Hartley Lifecare Challenge from Canberra to Mt Kosciusko and back in late November.

For the next four weeks they will be running a BBQ at the crits to raise some much needed funds for this wonderful cause that helps people living with disability in our community.

So after you have done the hardwork in your race, we encourage you to stick around and buy something to eat and drink.

Registration for 2015 is now open

The Registration system on IMG is open for next year's subscriptions. Simply go to the IMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.

Note that if you are not currently a member, you can register now and get the remainder of this year and all of 2015 for the one fee.

Handicapping

The handicapper has seen fit to turn his gaze upon his own form and decided to put himself up;

• Robert Langridge B -> A

• Jason Parkes B -> A

• Alan Bontjer B -> A

• Stuart Stabler C -> B

• Damien Obst C -> B

• John Barnes D -> C

• Stephen Cusack D -> C

• Andrew Murrell C -> B

• James Curran E -> D

And a reminder that riders are not to downgrade themselves without approval from the Handicapper.

Sunday, 16th November – Uriarra Homestead Graded Scratch

Where: Uriarra Homestead, Uriarra Rd - Brindabella Rd T-Junction.*** PLEASE NOTE: Sunday's Race is dependant on us obtaining approved signage. The sign man has provided the designs, TAMS have approved them and they are being manufactured this week. At this stage, the race is on but subject to the signs being delivered by race day. Please keep an eye on the Bleat or the Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/actvets) for any changes. ***When: 9:00 amSign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.Race Description:Uriarra Map: Start, F, A, C, A, Finish (Homestead, end of tar, Urriara, short turn, Urraira, Homestead)Race Director: Paul RobeyContact: Email paul.robey3@gmail.com Ph 0413 480 241

The nominated marshals for this event are;

• Kev Hennessy

• Simon Milnes

• Adrian Rollins

• Christophe Barberet

• Paul Welsh

Please confirm with the Race Director that you are available. If you unable to make the date that you have been rostered please find a replacement.

End of Year Events

This year, the End of Year presentation BBQ will be held on Tuesday 9th December and the traditional Christmas Wheel Race will be the 16th December.

RACE REPORT:

Narrabundah Track Racing – 5th November

Early completion of remedial work on the Bundadome provided an opportunity to reinstate a previously cancelled track session on Wednesday, 5 November. We had good attendance with 19 riders and a number of interested spectators, some of whom will likely race in future.

The A grade scratch race was again tactical. However, an early break by Ed Garnett and Michael Langdon was brought back. Steve Jones powered to a win from a bunch sprint. The B Grade bunch stayed together during their scratch race, allowing Brad Sellwood to win with a fine sprint. The 20 lap points races were hard events, with sprints every 5 laps. Steve Jones dominated A Grade winning three of the four sprints. In B Grade, Craig Kentwell and Brad Sellwood garnered equal points to share a win. Ashley Sked provided some excitement with a break in the final few laps of the B Grade race. However, his initiative went unrewarded when he faded in the final lap.

The Italian Pursuit races were both close. Uneven team numbers was compensated for by one rider in the smaller team doing an initial two laps before dropping out. The B Grade Italian pursuit was particularly close with less than 200mm deciding the race outcome.

ps A reminder that if your EMail address is not correct please go to the IMG system, login and update your contact details. Use this link. Same login details when you renewed your membership

Rider Insurance

As you may be aware from the recent news, a judgement for damages was handed down in the case of Franklin v Blick as a result of a cycling accident.

The committee is currently sourcing the full details of our current policy through the AVCC so that club members can understand what we are fully covered for. We'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Next Traffic Controller Course

As a result of the popular demand placed on the training so far, there will be one other training day scheduled for Saturday 22 November. This is an additional day supplied by Roads ACT. For ease of administration, Capital Cycling will take on the registration process for this training.

Please ensure that all details are completed. If the registrants are available to undertake the training on 22 November, please ensure that this date is nominated in the registration process. Could you also please contact Ben DavisBen.Davis@Teradata.com and let him know you have registered.

If you have any questions, please contact John Armstrong on 02 6248 7995.

Marshal Roster for the Remainder of the Year

Nominated Marshals please check your availability and arrange a replacement if you cannot make your event;

Date

Race Referee

Race venue

Min. No. of Marshals

ATC's

Marshals

24-May

Dog Trap Rd Murrumbateman NSW

4 + 2 drivers

Terence Merrigan

31-May

Old Federal Hwy NSW

5 + 2 drivers

Damien Pollard

7-Jun

Uriarra Homestead (time trial)

4

14-Jun

Apollo Rd Honeysuckle Ck (Hill top finish)

4

David Gunther

21-Jun

Orroral valley (Hilly course)

4

Dale Kleeman

28-Jun

Gunning NSW

4 + 2 drivers

Ed Garnett

5-Jul

Uriarra Homestead (long event 80kms for A-D)

5

Eddie O'Farrell

12-Jul

Lookout Hill to Apollo Rd

6

Damien Pollard

19-Jul

Lookout Hill (Time Trial)

4

Jan Koehler

26-Jul

Lookout Hill

5

Craig Kentwell

2-Aug

Dog Trap Rd Murrumbateman NSW

4 + 2 drivers

9-Aug

Lookout Hill

5

Greg Shaw

16-Aug

Yass NSW (drivers required)

5

Ian Albrey

4- Nov

Michael Golding

Crits @ SFP

2

Reinhard Mauch
Liz Lowe

11-Nov

Ian Shaw

Crits @ SFP

2

Kristi McVay
Geoff Strang

16-Nov

Bob Miller

Uriarra

2 ATC + 3

Kev Hennessy
Simon Milnes

Adrian Rollins
Christophe Barberet
Paul Welsh

18-Nov

Steve Dean

Crits @ SFP

2

David Gunther
Jan Koehler

23-Nov

Phill Coulton

Old Federal Hwy NSW

2 drivers + 4

Ben Davis
Mark Langman
Frank O'Sullivan
Bob Miller

25-Nov

Mick Donaldson

Crits @ SFP

2

Mary Lovett
Des Brown

30-Nov

Linda Stals

Lookout Hill

3 ATC + 3

Sean Ifland
Richard Bourne
Baden White

2 -Dec

Steve Schwenke

Crits @ SFP

2

Tom Tokich
Jason Quayle

7-Dec

Ian Morton

Mt Mac TT

3

Toby Driscoll
David Rae
Jessica Baird

9-Dec

Kim Malcolm

Crits @ SFP

2

Lynne Prentice
Roger Northcote

14-Dec

Alain Arbaut

Uriarra

2 ATC + 3

Clinton Porteous
Pauline Thorn
Mark Skimmings

16-Dec

Malcolm Paterson

Crits @ SFP

2

Kathryn Passalis
Dom Rideaux

Fund Raising BBQ at the Crits

Some club members will be riding the Hartley Lifecare Challenge from Canberra to Mt Kosciusko and back in late November.

For the next four weeks they will be running a BBQ at the crits to raise some much needed funds for this wonderful cause that helps people living with disability in our community.

So after you have done the hardwork in your race, we encourage you to stick around and buy something to eat and drink.

Registration for 2015 is now open

The Registration system on IMG is open for next year's subscriptions. Simply go to the IMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.

Note that if you are not currently a member, you can register now and get the remainder of this year and all of 2015 for the one fee.

Latest Handicapping

The Grade changes this week from the Handicapper;

• Andrew Welsh C -> D

• Luke McGowan F -> E

• Sue Frost E -> F

• Kim Malcolm E -> F

• Stuart Stabler D -> C

And a reminder that riders are not to downgrade themselves without approval from the Handicapper.

ps A reminder that if your EMail address is not correct please go to the IMG system, login and update your contact details. Use this link. Same login details when you renewed your membership

Fund Raising BBQ at the Crits

Some club members will be riding the Hartley Lifecare Challenge from Canberra to Mt Kosciusko and back in late November.

For the next four weeks they will be running a BBQ at the crits to raise some much needed funds for this wonderful cause that helps people living with disability in our community.

So after you have done the hardwork in your race, we encourage you to stick around and buy something to eat and drink.

Registration for 2015 is now open

The Registration system on IMG is open for next year's subscriptions. Simply go to the IMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.

Note that if you are not currently a member, you can register now and get the remainder of this year and all of 2015 for the one fee.

The Handicapper Awakes

The Handicapper has awoken from his winter slumber and had cast a critical eye across the field. This week's changes are;

• Damien Obst D -> C

• Simon Tennent TBA -> B

• Peter Prammer B -> C

• Dave McCook A -> B

• Russell Marston C -> D

• Vince Dunn C -> D

• Andrew McKechnie TBA -> D

• Seymour Savell-Boss D -> E

And a reminder that riders are not to downgrade themselves without approval from the Handicapper.

Another Marshalling Course

We have had word that there may be another marshalling course coming soon. Dates are to be determined but if you are interested could you please contact Ben Davis Ben.Davis@Teradata.com and let him know.

Everesting the National Arboretum

What is you ask? Everesting is repeating a hill on your bicycle until you reach the 8848 climbing meters gained to summit Mt Everest. I hope to inspire others to join the RECOGNISE movement and to promote Indigenous health.

Join me and the Recognise crew for a yarn and a feed at the Southern Deck for a great family day out (and if you are keen bring your bike as well);
- Where: The National Arboretum Canberra
- Date: November 1 2014
- Time: 9am on the Southern Deck

The Arboretum is a 120 metre climb so I’ll need to do 78 laps (just to be safe). One whole lap is 4.3 kilometres which means I’ll ride 335km all up. I plan to start at 3am on Saturday 1 November, and aim to finish between 8pm to 10pm. Public access to the Arboretum is from 6.30am (riders willing to join me early on will have access from the side gate before 6.30am).

Ride 2 Remember

It is the inaugural Ride 2 Remember, scheduled for November 2nd. It's purpose is to get the Australian public to think about the contemporary veteran when they take their minutes silence on November 11th, and to fundraise for their support in the lead up.

There will be 30km and 15km circuits around the Lake, which will finish at the Australian War Memorial Rides will start from 8:00am and wrap up by lunchtime. We want to encourage families and social groups along, and it sounds like your group might enjoy participating for a social event(even though it may be a bit short by your standards and is not a timed race!). This is the first year we are running the event and would love to get as many participants supporting our cause as possible.

Please confirm with the Race Director that you are available. If you unable to make the date that you have been rostered please find a replacement.

Wednesday, 29th October: Track Racing

Regrettably, the Bundadome is now out of action for two weeks to smooth some bumpy surface areas causing rider complaints. The next racing will be 12 November.

Sunday, 2nd November: There is no road race this weekend

Unfortunately, all the race arrangements are still not in place to be fully compliant.

RACE REPORT:

Narrabundah Track Racing – 22nd October

The season’s second track race session was held on Wed 22 October. Again, we had good attendance with 22 riders and several interested spectators. Racing is now in full swing, with most riders comfortable and reasonably proficient on the banking.

As usual the A grade scratch race was exciting and tactical with a number of breaks and feints before Andrew Peel, Jim Davey and Michael Langdon powered to a close finish. The 2-Lap handicaps in A and B Grade were not quite as close as hoped for. However, Aaron Rockey and James Meredith made the most of their handicaps to hold off the pack for very well deserved wins. In the A Grade mystery race, Michael Langdon made a well timed break on lap six. His initiative was rewarded by a convincing win, as the finish lap had been secretly set as lap 7.

ps A reminder that if your EMail address is not correct please go to the IMG system, login and update your contact details. Use this link. Same login details when you renewed your membership

Fund Raising BBQ at the Crits

Some club members will be riding the Hartley Lifecare Challenge from Canberra to Mt Kosciusko and back in late November.

For the next four weeks they will be running a BBQ at the crits to raise some much needed funds for this wonderful cause that helps people living with disability in our community.

So after you have done the handwork in your race, we encourage you to stick around and buy something to eat.

Everesting the National Arboretum

What is you ask? Everesting is repeating a hill on your bicycle until you reach the 8848 climbing meters gained to summit Mt Everest. I hope to inspire others to join the RECOGNISE movement and to promote Indigenous health.

Join me and the Recognise crew for a yarn and a feed at the Southern Deck for a great family day out (and if you are keen bring your bike as well);- Where: The National Arboretum Canberra- Date: November 1 2014- Time: 9am on the Southern Deck

The Arboretum is a 120 metre climb so I’ll need to do 78 laps (just to be safe). One whole lap is 4.3 kilometres which means I’ll ride 335km all up. I plan to start at 3am on Saturday 1 November, and aim to finish between 8pm to 10pm. Public access to the Arboretum is from 6.30am (riders willing to join me early on will have access from the side gate before 6.30am).

It is the inaugural Ride 2 Remember, scheduled for November 2nd. It's purpose is to get the Australian public to think about the contemporary veteran when they take their minutes silence on November 11th, and to fundraise for their support in the lead up.

There will be 30km and 15km circuits around the Lake, which will finish at the Australian War Memorial Rides will start from 8:00am and wrap up by lunchtime. We want to encourage families and social groups along, and it sounds like your group might enjoy participating for a social event(even though it may be a bit short by your standards and is not a timed race!). This is the first year we are running the event and would love to get as many participants supporting our cause as possible.

RACE REPORT:

Stromlo Criterium – 14th October

The crit on the 14th wasn't cancelled rather it was a non event for lack of riders. Admittedly the continuing rain in the morning was off-putting but by late afternoon the track was dry. It was cold and blustery though.

So at 5.45 with no G graders it wasn't looking promising. By 6 we had a handful of riders but not enough to make a race for any one grade or even a combination.

So at 6.15 we abandoned. Well done to the few hardy souls who turned up to race.

Thanks to Graham Hendrie for opening up and preparing for race registrations. Mick Jermyn was ready to marshal so all the elements were in place.

Hopefully better weather this week.

Thanks to Rob Diamond for race refereeing.

Narrabundah Track Racing – 15th October

The season’s first track races were held on Wed 15 October. The session had good attendance with 20 riders giving the Bundadome a workout. All grades completed an echelon practice session, despite interruption by rain, for a short period. All riders completed a 2-lap time trial and A Grade completed an 8-Lap scratch race before the light faded. The A grade scratch race was exciting, with a gutsy break from Michael Langdon, successfully chased down by Steve Jones and Jim Davey.